Contoured jewelry ring

ABSTRACT

A ring is provided having a crown, a shank defined by a pair of sidewalls, and a base extending between the shank sidewalls. The shank is oriented obliquely to the crown at an angle between 15° and 30° and when worn, the base is at an angle relative to the longitudinal finger axis and lies alongside the proximal digital palmer crease. The crown and the shank may form a circular opening framed by a square outer perimeter such that the junction of the base and shank sidewalls are of an increased thickness. The shank sidewalls may include a flared portion interconnecting them to the crown having a front edge and a back edge that diverge along a curved line. The base may include a substantially flat front surface, a bottom surface and a convex surface extending therebetween. The crown may include an inlaid design or gem stone setting

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention generally relates to an item of jewelry. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a ring configured to the contours of the proximal portion of a person's finger. The invention specifically concerns a ring construction configured to the web spaces on either side of the ring finger such that the ring may be comfortably positioned thereon.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Since the dawn of civilization, people have adorned themselves with jewelry of various constructions and appearances. Such jewelry pieces have also been made from a wide variety of materials such as hair, feathers, bones, shells, precious or semiprecious stones, metals, and the like. Common jewelry pieces include rings, earrings, bracelets, necklaces, pendants, wristwatches and the like.

[0003] Many wear pieces of jewelry as accessory items, but oftentimes jewelry is worn to represent an even greater purpose than adornment. For example, monarchs and other individuals of nobility wear crowns as a symbol of power and position. Some individuals wear items of jewelry for religious reasons or because they believe that the item possesses a medical or healing power. Additionally, an individual may wear jewelry to symbolize the love and affection he or she feels toward another individual. For example, during wedding ceremonies, the bride and groom exchange wedding rings to symbolize their union.

[0004] Other individuals may wear jewelry because it brings them comfort. For example, in some ancient cultures, warriors wore pearls into battle because they believed that the pearl would protect them from injury. Similarly, today, many possess good luck charms to ward off evil or to serve as protection from some undesirable event. Others find comfort in jewelry due to its sentimental value. For example, many families pass down items of jewelry, generation after generation, which ultimately acquire a significant sentimental meaning.

[0005] For whatever purpose, many individuals from many different cultures appreciate jewelry. The creativity, innovation, and the personal style of jewelry designers have produced a wide variety of jewelry items to suit the vast needs and tastes of their owners. New materials, equipment, and techniques have greatly contributed to the evolution of jewelry designs over time.

[0006] One particular item of jewelry that has evolved over time is the finger ring. Finger rings exist in many different sizes and shapes. Some rings are simple bands while others can take elaborate configurations. Finger rings are known to have top or “crown” portions supported by band-like shanks. The crown portions can be plain or provided with designs. The crown portions may also be set with gemstones or inlaid with other materials. The wide variety of gemstones, the cut of the gemstones, and settings alone have led to an almost infinite number of ring designs.

[0007] Despite the considerable creativity and variety associated with ring designs, many people find rings to be uncomfortable to wear. In part, this may be due to natural shape of the finger in that the ring typically needs to pass over the knuckle before being positioned at the base of the finger. Since the knuckle is usually wider than the base portion of the finger, the ring design may be uncomfortable to wear either because it is too loose, or because it is was made too tight in an effort to compensate for the width of the knuckle. Apart from ring size issues, sometimes the weight or the thickness of the ring design presents discomfort to the individual.

[0008] Many jewelry designers have attempted to alleviate the complaints of ring wearers. Efforts have been made to improve the way in which rings are sized as well as include rounding or smoothing the edges of the ring design. Although these efforts may have alleviated the discomfort experienced by some ring wearers, there is still a need for a better or a different kind of ring design that is comfortable to the wearer. The present invention is directed to meeting this need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and useful ring construction that is comfortable to wear.

[0010] It is another object of the present invention to provide a ring construction that permits the individual to wear a wide band that does not crowd the knuckle of the finger when worn.

[0011] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a ring construction that permits the crown of the ring to set farther back on the finger such that the finger appears longer.

[0012] A still further object of the present invention is to provide a ring that is fashionable and visually aesthetic.

[0013] According to the present invention, then, a ring is provided that is configured to be worn on a finger having a longitudinal finger axis extending between the proximal end portion and the distal end portion of the finger. The ring includes a crown and a shank with the shank having a pair of sidewall portions that extend from the crown in spaced-apart opposed relation to one another. A base portion extends between the sidewall portions in space relation to the crown. The shank is configured so that it is oriented obliquely to the finger axis at an angle of between about 15° and 30° such that the base portion is alongside the proximal digital palmar crease of the finger when the ring is worn.

[0014] More specifically, the shank has a generally cylindrical inner surface, and the sidewall portions intersect the base portion at a respective corner that is thicker than either the base portion or the respective sidewall portions. Thus, the shank has a substantially circular opening framed by a substantially square outer perimeter. The base portion can be formed to have a front surface that is substantially flat, a bottom surface, and a convex surface extending between the front and bottom surfaces. The width of the shank portion is greater than four (4) millimeters.

[0015] The shank portion and the crown portion can be of an integral one-piece construction with the shank canted to the crown portion. In the first exemplary embodiment, two flared portions interconnect the sidewall portions and the crown portion. Each flared portion has a front edge that faces the distal end portion of the finger that diverge from the plane of the shank along a curved line at a first angle of between 5° and 20°. Each flared portion also includes a back edge that faces the proximal end portion of the finger. The back edges diverge along a curved line with a second angle being between 25° and 50°.

[0016] The ring contemplated by the present invention may be formed of a variety of materials including plastics, precious metals, semiprecious metals, plastic, wood, composites and the like. Further, the ring contemplated by the present invention may also include a crown which has a design formed thereon, or a setting which includes a gem set therein.

[0017] These and other objects of the present invention will become more readily appreciated and understood from the consideration of the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments when taken together with accompany drawings, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a ring according to the prior art;

[0019]FIG. 2 is a front view in elevation of the back of the left hand where the ring shown in FIG. 1 is being worn on the ring finger;

[0020]FIG. 3 is a front view in elevation of the palm of the left hand showing the ring of FIG. 1;

[0021]FIG. 4 is a front view in elevation of the back of the left hand where a first exemplary embodiment of the ring of the present invention is being worn on the ring finger;

[0022]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the ring in FIG. 4;

[0023]FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the ring shown in FIG. 5 taken about lines 6-6;

[0024]FIG. 7 is a side view in elevation of the ring in shown in FIG. 5;

[0025]FIG. 8 is a bottom view in elevation of the ring in FIG. 5 showing the shank portion canted relative to the crown portion;

[0026]FIG. 9 is a front view in elevation of the distal side of the ring in FIG. 5;

[0027]FIG. 10 is a back view in elevation of the left hand showing the base portion of the ring in FIG. 5 aligned alongside the digital palmar crease of the ring finger;

[0028]FIGS. 11 and 12 are back views in elevation of the left and right palms showing the alignment of the shank portion relative to the digital palmar creases of the left and right hands;

[0029]FIG. 13 is a side view in elevation of an alternative ring construction showing protruding portions of the crown surface;

[0030]FIG. 14 is a front view in elevation of a portion of the left hand where the ring shown in FIG. 13 is being worn, and further showing the alignment of protrusions in a line extending between the knuckle of the little finger and the tip of the middle finger;

[0031]FIG. 15 is a top plan view of yet another alternative ring construction according to the present invention showing the crown having a design form therein;

[0032]FIG. 16 is top plan view of an alternative embodiment of present invention showing the crown having a setting and including a gem supported in the setting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0033] The present invention generally relates to pieces of jewelry but more specifically concerns a ring that is configured to be worn comfortably on an individual's finger. As used herein, the word “finger” shall be taken to mean any of the five digits projecting from the palm of the hand and, thus, includes the individual's thumb. When worn, the ring includes a shank portion that generally encircles a majority of the finger with a crown or top portion that extends across the top of the finger that corresponds to the back of the hand. This crown portion can actually be an extension of the shank such that the shank and the crown form a uniformly dimensioned annular annulus. Alternatively, the crown can be enlarged or otherwise demarked with designs, inlays, jewels, and the like. In any event, the ring of the present invention, as other rings, may be formed of a variety of materials currently used or hereafter developed including, for example, metals (meaning base metal, semiprecious metals, precious metals or any other metallic materials) plastic, wood, composites and the like.

[0034] In order to appreciate the structure of the present invention and its improvements over the prior art, it is perhaps first helpful to review a standard annular ring. An example of such a ring known in the prior art is shown in FIG. 1. Here, ring 10 is shown to comprise an annular body 12 that has a central finger opening 14 formed axially therethrough. Annular body 12 thus has an inner cylindrical surface 16 that is operative to confront the surface of a finger when worn as well as an exterior surface 18 that is exposed when worn.

[0035] Thus, as is shown in FIG. 2, when ring 10 is worn on finger 22 of hand 20, a crown portion 24 is generally exposed for view on the back side of the hand 20. With reference now to FIG. 3, it may seen that when hand 20 is viewed from the palm side, ring 10 is oriented in a plane that is generally perpendicular to the finger axis “X”. Unfortunately, this causes ring 10 to be askew of the proximal digital palmar crease 26 of finger 22. Also, with reference again to FIG. 2, it may seen that this structure causes crown portion 24 to be oriented close to joint 28 of finger 22. As a result, ring 10 may cause some discomfort during wear, do to its position with respect to the proximal digital palmar crease as well as interfere with the flexing of finger 22 during the person's use of his/her hand 20.

[0036] A ring constructed according to the present invention addresses these problems by providing a ring that has enhanced comfort while being worn. With reference, then, to FIG. 5, it may be seen that ring 30, a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, includes a crown portion 32 and a pair of sidewall portions 34 and 36 that are respectively interconnected to crown portion 32 by flared portions 38 and 40, which extend from crown portion 32 in spaced apart opposed relation to each other. Ring 30 also includes a base portion 42 that extends between sidewall portions 34 and 36 in spaced relation to crown portion 32. Together, sidewall portions 34 and 36 and base portion 42 form shank 44 that is thus joined to crown portion 32 by flared portions 38 and 40. Shank 44 has a cylindrical opening 46 that is adapted to receive a finger of the human hand.

[0037] With reference, then, to FIG. 4, ring 30 of the present invention is shown mounted on finger 22 of hand 20 so that the axis of cylindrical opening 46 is generally aligned with finger axis “F”. The structure of ring 30 is shown in greater detail in FIGS. 6-9.

[0038] With reference first to FIG. 6, it may be seen that sidewall portion 34 of ring 30 is joined to crown portion 32 by flared portion 38. Flared portion 38 has a front edge 50 that is positioned to face the distal end portion of the finger when ring 30 is worn. Correspondingly, flared portion 38 includes a rear edge 52 that will face the proximal end portion of finger 22 when ring 30 is worn. In relationship to a transverse plane “P” that is perpendicular to the finger axis “F” when the ring is worn, front edge 50 projects at an approximate angle “a” with respect to plane “P”. Correspondingly, rear edge 52 projects at a second angle “b” with respect to plane “P”. Likewise, with reference to FIG. 7, it may be seen that flared portion 40, which interconnects sidewall portion 36 to crown 32, includes a front edge 54 oriented at an angle “a” with respect to plane “P”, as well as a rear edge 56 oriented at an angle “b” with respect plane “P”. In this embodiment, first angle “a” is in a range of about 5° to 20°. Angle “b” may be larger than angle “a” and should be within a range of about 25° to 50°.

[0039] With reference to FIGS. 6 and 8, it may be seen that base portion 42 has several features that are different from a standard ring. As may be seen in FIG. 6, base portion 42 includes a front surface 58 that is substantially flat and is formed at generally a right angle to a bottom surface 60 that is substantially flat. Front surface 58 and bottom surface 60 are joined by a convex surface 62 so that base portion 42 has a rounded triangular appearance. Further, in reference to FIG. 8, it may be seen that base portion 42 is formed along an axis “X” that is canted an angle “c” relative to plane “P”. This angle is preferably in a range of about 15° and 30°. With this construction, shank 44 is canted at angle “c” so that it is oriented obliquely to the finger axis “F” when the ring is worn.

[0040] With reference now to FIG. 9, it may be seen that the crown 32 and shank 44 of ring 30 together form a substantially circular opening 46 that is, at least in part, bounded by the inner sidewall surface 64 of shank 44. Sidewall surface 64 is formed generally along cylindrical surface that has an axis generally aligned with finger axis “F”. The outer perimeter 66 of shank 44, however, is formed to have a substantially square geometry. With this construction, the junction 68 between sidewall portion 34 and base portion 42 has a greater thickness than the selected thickness of base portion 42 and sidewall portion 34. Similarly, the junction 70 between sidewall portion 36 and base portion 42 has a greater thickness than the selected thickness of sidewall portion 36 and base portion 42. Generally, the width of shank 44 is greater than four (4) millimeters, and preferably six (6) millimeters.

[0041] With this structure in mind, and with reference again to FIG. 4 as well as FIG. 10, it may seen that ring 30 sets farther towards the proximal end of finger 22 than does ring 10. Thus, as is shown in FIG. 4, crown portion 32 is spaced a larger distance from joint 28 than ring 10 as is shown in FIG. 2. By displacing crown portion 32 in the proximal direction, interference is less likely to impair the flexibility of finger 22. When the hand is turned over, as is shown in FIG. 10, it may also be seen that base portion 42 now is in generally parallel relationship alongside the proximal digital palmar crease 26. By matching this line of flexion, as well as the angled orientation of the webbing of the fingers on each side of finger 22, a more comfortable fit is obtained. As noted, the orientation of base portion 42 corresponds to the canting of shank 44 relative to the crown portion 32 so that the base portion 42 is oriented obliquely relative to the longitudinal finger axis “F” when the ring is worn. Again, this range of canting is preferably about 15° to 30°.

[0042]FIG. 11 shows ring 30 according to the present invention adapted to be mounted on the left hand 20 of a person so that ring 30 is positioned on finger 22 with base portion 42 oriented parallel to the proximal digital palmar crease 26. With reference to FIG. 12, it should be understood that a ring according to the present invention could be made for the right hand of the person. Here, right hand 20′ includes finger 22′. Ring 30′ is thus adapted to be placed on finger 22′ so that base portion 42′ will be parallel alongside the proximal digital palmar crease 26′ of finger 22′.

[0043] Additional features can be provided according to the present invention. With reference to FIGS. 13 and 14, a second exemplary embodiment in the form of ring 130 of the present invention is depicted. Ring 130 has a crown portion 132 and a shank portion 144. Crown portion 132 includes a pair of lobes or raised portions 134 and 136 formed thereon. Shank 144 is configured generally as described above with respect to shank portion 44 such that this description need not be repeated. With reference, however, to FIG. 14, it may be seen that the effect of lobes 134 and 136 are to form a line of sight from knuckle 121 of finger 120 through lobes 134 and 136 of ring 130 positioned on finger 122 to tip 125 of adjacent finger 124.

[0044] With reference to FIGS. 15 and 16, it may be appreciated that the crown portion can include other decorative designs as part of the present invention. Thus, for example, as is shown in FIG. 15, ring 230 includes a crown portion 232 that has design elements 234 on the exposed surface thereof. In FIG. 16, ring 330 has a crown portion 332 that includes a cross shaped opening 334 to define a plurality of fingers 336 that support a gemstone 338 centrally therein.

[0045] Accordingly, it should be understood that the present invention utilizing the canted shank and base portion can be incorporated with rings having a variety of esthetic designs, as is known in the art. 

I claim:
 1. In a ring to be worn on a finger having a longitudinal finger axis extending between the proximal end portion and the distal end portion of the finger and wherein said ring includes a crown, the improvement comprising a shank including a pair of sidewall portions of selected thickness that extend from said crown in spaced apart opposed relation to each other and a base portion of selected thickness that extends between said sidewall portions is spaced relation to said crown, said shank having a finger opening defined by an inner shank surface that is formed generally along a cylindrical surface that has an axis generally aligned with the finger axis when the ring is worn, said shank configured so that it is oriented obliquely to the finger axis at an angle of between about 15° and 30° such that said base portion is alongside the proximal digital palmar crease of the finger when said ring is worn.
 2. A ring according to claim 1 wherein each of said sidewall portions intersects said base portion at a corner portion that is thicker than either said base portion or a respective said sidewall portion.
 3. A ring according to claim 1 wherein said base portion includes a front surface that is substantially flat, a bottom surface, and a convex surface extending between said front surface and said bottom surface.
 4. A ring according to claim 1 wherein said shank has a width greater than four millimeters.
 5. A ring according to claim 1 formed of a material selected from a group consisting of metals, plastic, wood, and composites.
 6. A ring according to claim 1 including a crown supported by said shank, said crown having a design formed thereon.
 7. A ring according to claim 6 wherein said crown includes a setting, and including a gem supported in said setting.
 8. A ring to be worn on a finger having a longitudinal finger axis that extends between the proximal end portion and the distal end portion of the finger, said ring comprising: (A) a crown; and (B) a shank defined by (1) a pair of sidewall portions each of a selected thickness and that extend from said crown in spaced apart opposed relation to each other and (2) a base portion of selected thickness that extends between said sidewall portions is spaced relation to said crown, said crown and said shank together forming a substantially circular opening that is framed by an outer perimeter of a substantially square geometry such that a junction of said base portion and each of said sidewalls has a thickness that is greater than the thickness of said base portion, and wherein said shank is canted relative to said crown such that said base portion is oriented obliquely relative to the longitudinal finger axis when said ring is worn.
 9. An item of jewelry according to claim 8 wherein said base portion is oriented at an angle of between about 15° and 30° to the longitudinal finger axis when said ring is worn.
 10. An item of jewelry according to claim 8 wherein said base portion is adapted to align alongside the proximal digital palmar crease of the finger.
 11. A ring according to claim 8 wherein said base includes a front surface that is substantially flat, a bottom surface, and a convex surface extending between said front surface and said bottom surface.
 12. An item of jewelry according to claim 8 formed of material selected from a group consisting of metals, plastics, wood, and composites.
 13. A ring according to claim 8 wherein said crown has a design formed thereon.
 14. A ring according to claim 8 wherein said crown includes a setting, and including a gem supported in said setting.
 15. A ring configured to be worn on a person's finger having a longitudinal finger axis that extends between the proximal end portion and the distal end portion of the finger, comprising: (A) a crown portion; (B) a shank portion oriented in a plane that traverses the longitudinal finger axis when the ring is worn, said shank portion including a pair of sidewall portions extending upwardly from a base portion that is spaced from said crown portion; (C) a pair of flared portions interconnecting said sidewall portions and said crown portion, each said flared portion having a front edge that faces the distal end portion of the finger and that diverges from the plane of said shank portion generally at a first angle and and a back edge that faces the proximal end portion of the finger and that diverges from the plane of said shank portion generally at a second angle that is greater than the first angle.
 16. A ring according to claim 15 wherein the back edge diverges along a curved line with the second angle being between about 25° and 50°.
 17. A ring according to claim 15 wherein said front edge diverges along a curved line with the first angle being between about 5° and 20°.
 18. A ring according to claim 16 wherein said crown portion has an uneven top surface including at least two upraised areas positioned along a line extending between the knuckle of the little finger and the tip of the middle finger when the ring is worn.
 19. A ring according to claim 16 wherein the plane of said shank portion traverses the longitudinal finger axis at an angle of between about 15° and 30° when the ring is worn.
 20. A ring configured to be worn on a person's finger having a longitudinal finger axis that extends between the proximal end portion and the distal end portion of the finger, comprising: (A) a crown portion; and (B) a shank portion defined by a pair of sidewalls and a base extending therebetween, wherein said crown portion and said shank portion are of an integral construction that together form a substantially circular opening that is framed by an outer perimeter of a substantially square geometry such that junctions of said base and respective ones of said sidewalls have an increased thickness, and wherein said base portion includes a front surface that is substantially flat, a bottom surface, and a convex surface extending between said front surface and said bottom surface.
 21. A ring according to claim 20 wherein said shank portion is in a plane that traverses the longitudinal finger axis at an angle of between about 15° and 30°.
 22. A ring according to claim 21 including a pair of flared portions interconnecting said sidewall portions and said crown portion, each said flared portion having a front edge that faces the distal end portion of the finger and that diverges from the plane of said shank portion generally at a first angle and and a back edge that faces the proximal end portion of the finger and that diverges from the plane of said shank portion generally at a second angle that is greater than the first angle.
 23. A ring according to claim 22 wherein the back edge diverges along a curved line with the second angle being between about 25° and 50°.
 24. A ring according to claim 22 wherein said front edge diverges along a curved line with the first angle being between about 5° and 20°. 